Signs of the Time
Decay and Reflection: Signs of the Time by Brother Jack
Lyrics
Going across town on the 8th street bridge
Describing the journey across town on the 8th street bridge.
Passing that old railroad yard
Observing the old railroad yard while passing by.
Noses to tails, they are lining up
Noticing a lineup of trains arranged nose to tail.
As far as I can see here, it’s rusty old trains
Viewing a vast expanse of rusty old trains in the area.
As far as I can see here, it’s rusty old trains
Reiterating the prevalence of rusty old trains in the view.
Rusty old trains and burned out cars
Highlighting the presence of both rusty trains and burned-out cars.
Vacant store fronts down on the boulevard
Noting vacant store fronts along the boulevard.
Busted out windows down at the old churchyard
Pointing out broken windows at the old churchyard.
It’s the sign of the time
Referring to the observed conditions as indicative of the current era.
The face of our demise
Expressing that these signs represent the face of societal decay.
It’s the sign of the time
Reiterating the significance of observed signs as indicative of the times.
My old grandma used to hang her laundry out
Recalling the singer's grandmother hanging laundry for public view.
Hanging it all out for the whole world to see
Emphasizing the openness of displaying personal items to the world.
Grandaddy’s underwear said made in the USA
Mentioning a nostalgic detail about the origin of Grandaddy's underwear.
Now we’re too embarrassed to hang our fat clothes out
Noting a shift in societal attitudes, now reluctant to display larger clothing items.
We’re too embarrassed to hang our dirty clothes out
Reiterating the embarrassment in showing dirty laundry in public.
Rusty old trains and burned out cars
Repeating the imagery of rusty trains and burned-out cars.
Vacant storefronts down on the boulevard
Restating the presence of vacant store fronts along the boulevard.
Busted out windows down at the old church yard
Reiterating the broken windows at the old churchyard.
It’s the sign of the time
Reaffirming that these observations are indicative of the times.
The face of our demise
Stressing that these signs represent the face of societal decline.
The sign of the time
Reiterating the significance of the observed signs in the current era.
Everyone I know is in a great big hurry
Commenting on the pervasive sense of urgency in people's lives.
The faster you go here the quicker you’ll get there
Highlighting the societal emphasis on speed and efficiency.
The end of the road is the same here for everyone
Reflecting on the universal destination at the end of the road for everyone.
I’m going to take my time here and look at the scenery
Expressing a personal decision to slow down and appreciate the surroundings.
I’m gonna take my time here and look at the scenery
Reiterating the intention to take time and enjoy the scenery.
Rusty old trains and burned out cars
Recalling the imagery of rusty trains and burned-out cars.
Vacant storefronts down on the boulevard
Restating the presence of vacant store fronts along the boulevard.
Busted out windows down at the old church yard
Reiterating the broken windows at the old churchyard.
It’s the sign of the time
Affirming that these signs symbolize the times we live in.
The face of our demise
Emphasizing that these signs represent the face of societal decay.
The sign of the time
Reiterating the significance of the observed signs as indicative of the times.
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